Want to Become a Physician Assistant? This Valpo Alumna Has Some Advice

Considering a career as a physician assistant? We know just the person to help light the way. Anastacia Mesina ’18, ’20, knew she wanted to go into the medical field since she was in high school. Her family served as her inspiration with her grandfather working as a family medicine doctor and her mother working as an accountant at the nearby Company of Mary Medical Center in Evergreen Park, Illinois. Throughout that time, Anastacia was continuously volunteering in local hospitals, getting to know patients, and assisting staff members.

But like many of us, her path wasn’t quite as clear as her passion. “I just didn’t know which route to take. I didn’t know if I wanted to be a nurse or a doctor or something else,” Anastacia shares, “but then I met a physician assistant who really sparked my interest.” This spark of an idea soon fanned into flame once Anastacia learned of Valpo’s physician assistant program.

Anastacia decided to enroll in 2015 as one of the program’s first cohorts, a program consisting of three years of undergraduate study followed by two years of graduate study. It was this accelerated degree path that first drew Anastacia to Valpo, and allowed her to graduate with both a bachelor of science in health science in 2018 and a master’s degree in physician studies in 2020. As is the Valpo way, Anastacia also managed to make time for volunteer work at local nursing homes during her college journey, never failing to prioritize service in learning and leading. 

“I’m happy to have been a part of Valpo’s physician assistant program. Even though being the very first class meant that we were the guinea pigs, the professors and staff made it great for us,” Anastacia shares. One of her favorite parts of the program was the lab portion. From the start, Valpo’s physician assistant program goes beyond coursework, educating students with hands-on, two- to three-week modules that focus on a variety of specialties. Students learn everything from physical examinations to suturing, and even more through their shadowing experiences, all of which helped guide Anastacia to pursue general surgery. “I was shadowing a physician assistant during a cardiothoracic open heart surgery. That’s where I kind of just fell in love. I knew it was the path for me,” she says.

Now, we are proud to share that Anastacia is still doing what she loves. After passing her boards, she started working as a physician assistant for Indiana Surgical Associates, serving in general and bariatric surgery at two locations for the region’s Methodist Hospitals. Recently, she also received her robotic surgery certification for the da Vinci Surgical System, which makes surgery more precise and less invasive and further proves our bright Valpo Beacons never stop learning and innovating. 

Does Anastacia’s path sound like one you’d like to explore? Throughout her ever-growing career, she’s not only met but also exceeded her predetermined goals. Now, she offers this advice to prospective physician assistants looking to follow in her footsteps:

1. Network, network, network. Between Valpo’s small class sizes and close-knit community, it’s a lot easier than you’d think. “It’s all about knowing people and reaching out to fellow students, especially alumni,” says Anastacia, “I’m a connection that could get a fellow physician assistant a shadowing experience, whether that be with myself or other PAs I graduated with.”
2. Don’t be afraid to take the first step. “Call places – whether that be hospitals, nursing homes, clinics – and ask them if they have any open positions or shadowing opportunities to help you meet the required hours needed to apply for the graduate program,” Anastacia advises, “even after certification, you can check in with professors to see if the University has any open preceptor positions, which can help you meet the 100 continuing medical education (CME) credits all physician assistants need to obtain every two years to maintain their certification.”
3. Be ready to learn beyond the classroom. Oftentimes, field experience is what helps you learn the practical skills necessary in the medical world, such as Epic Systems software, which Anastacia can attest to. “You’re going to continue learning when you start working in the field. You’ll always be learning. So soak up what you can while you’re in school and make sure this is something you actually want to do,” she advises.
4. Explore and enjoy the flexibility you have as a physician assistant. While a surgeon or doctor goes to school for their specialty, physician assistants can change theirs whenever they want. “The day-to-day of PAs can be very different. That’s the greatest thing about it. You can go into any specialty after you graduate – orthopedic, pediatric, general surgery, family medicine, etc. They’re flexible,” Anastacia explains, “so if two years down the line, I want to change my field, I could. For other medical professionals, it’s not that easy.”
5. Remember to take time for yourself. It’s something we often forget and it’s why Anastacia is adamant that, “No matter where you’re at in your schooling, just take time for yourself. Even though school goes by quickly, it’s a lot at once. Even if it’s just 30 minutes, take that time to work out, read a book, or do something enjoyable to you. That’s really what it boils down to.”

Feeling inspired by Anastacia’s Valpo Story? Begin yours by finding out if Valpo’s physician assistant program sparks your interest by visiting valpo.edu/physician-assistant-program.